Switch for electric engine starters



July 7, 1925.

G. STEINER SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC ENGINE STARTERS Filed April 24, 1922 Patented July 7, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,545,019 PATENT OFFICE.

GOTTLIEB STEINER, OF SOLOTHURN, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TO FIRM SCINTILLA, OF SOLO'IHURN, SWITZERLAND.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC ENGINE STARTERS.

Application filed April 24, 1922. Serial 1T0. 558,309.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GOTTLIEB STEINER, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, residing at No. 304 Obach, Solothurn, Switzerland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches for Electric Engine Starters, of which the following is a specification.

In order to be able to reduce to a minimum the dimensions of the distributing switch which controls the lighting plant and the starting motor of the lnternal combustion engine in motor vehicles, it is advisable, instead of passing the comparatively large starting current through the said switch, to provide a separat main switch which can be operated by a small current from the distributing switch.

In this connection it is very important that the said main switch shall be placed in the most favourable position, but this is often very diflicult on account of want of space.

The present invention has now for its object to construct and locate this main switch in a manner that will satisfy the above stated conditions without there being a necessity to provide additional space for its accommodation. This object is effected by locating the main switch in the casing of the starting motor and concentrically around the starting motor shaft. This improved arrangement has the advantage that the main switch takes up only a minimum space while yet being able to transmit a large current. V

The accompanying drawings illustrate a constructional example of a main switch of this kind.

Fi re 1 is a longitudinal section of the starting motor.

Figures 2 and 3 are two cross-sections taken on the same line AA,,but from opposite directions.

As shown, b is a coil which is arranged concentrically around the starting motor shaft a; it is sup lied with a small current through the distributing switch (not shown). By this means the annular magnet g is excited, and the ring a is attracted until the contact blocks (1, fixed to the radially slotted disc b, have come into contact wit the two annular se ents e and j which form the main switdli terminals, and thereby close the circuit of the switch, whereby the starting motor m comes into action. The ring 0 with the contact block d fixed to the springs h does not take part in the rotation of the shaft. It is mounted on a sleeve of the fixed part 9 which surrounds the shaft a and is not rotatable relatively to the two parts 8 and 'f of the ring.

The concentric construction of the switch allows of providing a plurality of parallelconnected contacts d each of which is independently sprung. In this manner only good contacts are obtained, and consequently also a total area of contact surface which allow of transmitting a comparatively large current.

What I claim is 1. In switch apparatus for controlling the electric starting motor of an internal combustion engine, the combination with the casing and the shaft of the electric starting motor, of an electro-magnetically actuated main switch designed to carry the starting current, one of the coacting contacts of said switch being formed as a plurality of independently sprung contacting pieces, located inside said casing and concentrically around said starting motor shaft.

2. In switch apparatus for controlling the electric starting motor of an internal combustion engine, the combination with the casing and the shaft of the electric startin motor, of an electro-magnetically actuate main switch designed to carry the startin current, the movable contact of said switc being formed as a plurality of independently sprung contacting pieces, located inside said casing and concentrically around said starting motor shaft, comprising an electro-magnetic coil concentric to said starting motor shaft, and a plurality of stationary contacts connected to the operating current. supply located circularly around said starting motor shaft.

3. In switch apparatus for controlling the electric starting motor of an internal combustion engine, the combination with the casing and the shaft of the electric startmg motor, of, an electro-magnetically actuate main switch designed to carry the startin current, the movable contact of said switc being formed as a plurality of independently netic coil concentric to said starting motor shaft, and a plurality of stationary contacts having the shape of annular segments connected to the operating current supply, 10- cfitegtl circularly around said starting motor s a 4. In switch apparatus for controlling the,

electric starting motor of an internal combustion engine, the combination with the casing and the shaft of the electric starting motor, of an electro-magnetically actuated main switch designed to carry the starting current, the movable contact of said switch being formed as a plurality of independently sprung contacting pieces, located inside said casing and concentrically around said starting motor shaft, comprising an electro-magnetic coil concentric to said starting motor shaft, and a plurality of stationary contacts connected to the operating current supply located circularly around said starting motor shaft, said movable switch contact having the form of a radially slotted disc.

5. In switch apparatus for controlling the electric starting motor of an internal combustion engine, the combination with the casing and the shaft of the electric starting motor, of an electro-magnetically actuated main switch designed to carry the starting current, located inside said casing and concentrically around said starting motor shaft, comprising an electro-magnetic coil concentric to said starting motor shaft, and a'plurality of stationary contacts connected to the operating current supply located circularly around said starting motor shaft, a movable switch contact having the form of a radially slotted disc, and a plurality of contact' blocks adapted to be sprung independently of one another located on said disc intermediate the slots therein.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GOTTLIEB STEINER. 

